Bengaluru Psychiatrist Jailed for Selling Newborn After Kidnapping
Shocking Crime: Psychiatrist Sentenced for Selling a Newborn
A Bengaluru-based psychiatrist, Dr. Rashmi Shashikumar, has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for abducting and selling a newborn baby. The court also fined her ₹1 lakh for her crime.
The shocking case dates back to 2020 when Dr. Rashmi tricked a couple into believing she could arrange a surrogate baby for them. Instead, she kidnapped a newborn from BBMP Hospital in Chamarajpet and sold the infant for ₹14.5 lakh.
How the Crime Unfolded: A Tale of Deception and Betrayal
Dr. Rashmi, a resident of Nagarbhavi, was in court when the verdict was delivered on February 19. She was out on bail but was immediately taken into custody and sent to Bengaluru Central Prison, as per PTI reports.
The case began on May 29, 2020, when a woman who had just given birth at BBMP Hospital dozed off after taking prescribed medication. Within 45 minutes, her baby was gone. Panic set in, and a police complaint was filed immediately.
However, it took nearly a year of investigation before police finally tracked down the child and arrested the psychiatrist.
Baby Found on His First Birthday – A Painstaking Investigation
On May 29, 2021, police recovered the kidnapped infant from a couple in North Karnataka. Shockingly, when officers arrived at their home, the couple was celebrating the baby’s first birthday, unaware that the child had been abducted.
The investigation was a massive effort, involving:
- 700 witness interviews
- 300 CCTV recordings analyzed
- 5,000 phone call records examined
Police created a suspect sketch from CCTV footage, which eventually led them to Dr. Rashmi and the unsuspecting couple.
How the Psychiatrist Fooled the Couple with a Surrogacy Scam
According to the charge sheet, Dr. Rashmi met the North Karnataka couple in 2015 while working at a private hospital in Hubballi. They had a child with special needs, and she falsely assured them that surrogacy could help them have a healthy baby.
By 2019, she collected biological samples from the father, claiming she had found a surrogate mother in Bengaluru. She also took ₹14.5 lakh, promising them a baby by May 2020.
As the due date neared, she identified BBMP Hospital as her target due to its lax security. She repeatedly visited the maternity ward before executing her plan.
On May 29, 2020, she:
- Instructed a hospital attendant to give the mother sleeping pills
- Took the baby once the mother fell unconscious
- Handed the child over to the couple at a friend’s house in Vijayanagar
DNA & Digital Evidence Sealed the Conviction
The trial saw emotional testimonies from both
- The biological parents
- The couple who unknowingly raised the child
Public prosecutor B H Bhaskar revealed that the following evidence proved crucial in convicting the psychiatrist:
- DNA tests confirmed the child’s biological parents
- Bank records showed the couple paid ₹14.5 lakh to Dr. Rashmi
- Phone records proved long-standing communication between them
- Mobile tower data placed Dr. Rashmi at BBMP Hospital on the day of the abduction
With these undeniable facts, the court handed down a 10-year sentence, bringing some justice to the devastated families.
Final Thoughts: A Crime That Shook Bengaluru
This case is a chilling reminder of how vulnerable newborns can be, even in hospitals. It also highlights the dangers of unregulated surrogacy arrangements.
What are your thoughts on hospital security and surrogacy fraud? Share your views in the comments!
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Dane
I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.
